A U.S. military troop takes command of a band of Burmese guerillas during World War II.
Acting
Steve McQueen's scene-stealing arrival—star power undeniable.
Cinematography
Lush Metrocolor Burma, clearly California mountains.
Direction
Sturges staging chaotic ambushes with western-movie rhythm.
Director
John Sturges
Frank Sinatra
Capt. Tom Reynolds
Gina Lollobrigida
Carla Vesari
Charles Bronson
Sgt. John Danforth
Steve McQueen
Corp. Bill Ringa
Peter Lawford
Capt. Grey Travis, Doctor
Paul Henreid
Nikko Regas
Brian Donlevy
Gen. Sloan
Kipp Hamilton
Margaret Fitch
Dean Jones
Sgt. Jim Norby
Robert Bray
Col. Fred Parkson
Aki Aleong
Billingsly
Richard Johnson
Capt. Danny De Mortimer
John Hoyt
Col. Reed
Whit Bissell
Capt. Alofson, Psychiatrist
Philip Ahn
Nautaung, leader of the Kachin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Sinatra demanded McQueen after seeing him in TV's Wanted: Dead or Alive; studio wanted a bigger name. McQueen's $5,000 salary vs. Sinatra's $200,000 tells the whole story.
Based on real OSS Detachment 101 operations in Burma, though the romance is pure Hollywood invention—Carla Vesari has no historical counterpart, which says everything about 1959 priorities.
US
